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Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release
Supporters flee Swalwell’s governor campaign amid allegations of sexual assault
Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang and Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: U.S. Rep. Eric
News Issues
Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release
Attacked by AI-cyberbots: Please help us fund critical security upgrades
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 10, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – Our East County Magazine website is being attacked
Politics
Supporters flee Swalwell’s governor campaign amid allegations of sexual assault
Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang and Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: U.S. Rep. Eric
Latest No Kings rallies draw 70,000 in San Diego County, 8 million nationwide
70,000 San Diego County residents join 8 million nationwide in No Kings demonstrations, the largest ever U.S. protest By Miriam Raftery March 31, 2026 (San…
Wildfires and Emergencies
Cal State University San Marcos and nearby homes evacuated due to brush fire
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts April 5, 2026 (San Marcos) – The #MoreeFire in San Marcos has led to evacuations, including the California State…
Help shape fire priorities in San Diego County
East County News Service April 4, 2026 (San Diego County) — With “fire season” now a year-round threat, public input is growing in importance as…
Events & Arts
Cheers to the Valley Wine Festival April 18 in Ramona
East County News Service April 5, 2026 (Ramona) – The Ramona Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to savor the 2026 Cheers to the…
Destination East County: Festive events in mid-April and May 2026
By Miriam Raftery April 5, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – As April continues, drifting into the merry month of May, there are many unique…
Visit East County
DESTINATIONS: Borrego and beyond — a beautiful backcountry day
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman, with photos by Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery Feb. 22, 2026 (San Diego County) — With
We need your help! We have more news tips for East County issues than our budget can cover
Printer-friendly versionLast year tapped our resources at East County Magazine more than any on record, with so many major news
People
Donate to help pets in need at Alpine Pet Food and Supply Drive April 4
East County News Service March 14, 2026 (Alpine) – Dog and cat food, treats, grooming supplies, new pet toys, feeding
Descanso resident named American Honey Queen
By Miriam Raftery February 18, 2026 (Descanso) — You could call it sweet success. The American Beekeeping Federation has chosen
Communities
Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release
San Diego County has free parking perks for seniors
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson holds up his senior parking pass at Mt. Woodson Gateway County Preserve in
Features
San Diego County has free parking perks for seniors
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson holds up his senior parking pass at Mt. Woodson Gateway County Preserve in
Don’t miss Santa Ysabel and Wynola on your way to visit Julian
Printer-friendly versionTiny mountain towns often overlooked by travelers in East County’s back country By Paul Levikow Photos by Miriam Raftery
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GUHSD Superintendent backs DA’s appeal against potential release of 2001 Santana shooter
East County News Service February 10, 2026 (Santee) — Grossmont Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Kirsten Vital Brulte has sent a letter to District…
Long-time El Cajon City Councilman Gary Kendrick denounces Republican Party, switches affiliation to Democrat
By Paul Levikow View video of Gary Kendrick’s announcement. February 9, 2026 (El Cajon) – El Cajon City Councilman Gary Kendrick, a life-long Republican, announced…
After Minneapolis killings by federal agents, El Cajon residents rally as Councilman Kendrick speaks out
By Alexander J Schorr Councilmember Gary Kendrick addresses crowd in El Cajon February 8, 2026 (El Cajon) — An El Cajon Council meeting has once…
Next phase of Casa de Oro plan to be discussed at Feb. 26 workshop
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 10, 2026 (Casa de Oro) – The vision for a safer, more walkable Casa de Oro is moving from the drawing board to the engineering phase. San Diego County officials are holding a public workshop later this month, inviting residents and other interested stakeholders to review design elements for the transformation of the Campo
Youth from San Diego region invited to Black College Expo February 12
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 9, 2026 (San Diego) – More than 2,500 students are expected to attend the 9th annual Black College Expo on February 12. The expo is organized by the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and National College Resources Foundation (NCRF). The Black College Expo is a free opportunity for local high school juniors and seniors to meet with
GCCCD receives Congressional funding to strengthen pipeline to better paying jobs for working adults in East County San Diego
Printer-friendly versionGrossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and Foundation receive $655,000 in federal budget to expand support to low-income and underemployed adults Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District February 9, 2026 (El Cajon) – Last week, upon approval of the most recent Congressional budget bill, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges were included to receive $655,000 for the District’s
GCCCD receives Congressional funding to strengthen pipeline to better paying jobs for working adults in East County San Diego
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and Foundation receive $655,000 in federal budget to expand support to low-income and underemployed adults Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District February…
Youth from San Diego region invited to Black College Expo February 12
East County News Service February 9, 2026 (San Diego) – More than 2,500 students are expected to attend the 9th annual Black College Expo on…
Lemon Grove City Council approves emergency ordinance to assist evicted tenants
“Every day we sit on our hands and pretend like there’s nothing we can do, is one day that one more person joins our homeless…
Long-time El Cajon City Councilman Gary Kendrick denounces Republican Party, switches affiliation to Democrat
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow February 9, 2026 (El Cajon) – El Cajon City Councilman Gary Kendrick, a life-long Republican, announced Monday that he is switching his party affiliation and joining the Democratic Party. Kendrick made the declaration at a news conference in front of El Cajon City Hall surrounded by supporters and Democratic Party officials. He cited the city’s
EDITORIAL: HOW MANY MORE?
Printer-friendly version By Enrique Morones October 1, 2009 (San Diego) – Today marks the 15th anniversary of the wall of death—the border wall of shame. Since October 1st 1994 and the launching of Operation Gatekeeper here in San Diego, thousands have died. Nobody knows the exact number: 5,000, 6,000, 10,000. How many more? These are not numbers, these
VIEJAS HOSTS FIRE PREVENTION DAY THURS. OCT. 8
Printer-friendly version October 5, 2009 (Alpine) – On Thursday, over 250 school children will join firefighters, tribal representatives, Smokey the Bear and Sparky the firedog from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for hands-on learning about the importance of fire safety. The event, held at Viejas Recreation Center in Alpine, is being held in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week. The free
FBI OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO SEMPRA/SDG&E LOBBYIST SCANDAL
Printer-friendly version Assembly Ethics Committee Drops Its Investigation By Miriam Raftery October 5, 2009 (Sacramento) – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation info former Assemblyman Michael Duvall’s claims of having a sexual affair with a female lobbyist, the Los Angeles Times reports. The woman has been identified as a lobbyist for Sempra Energy/SDG&E by an Orange
TWO CANDIDATES FOR STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION SHARE VIEWS ON STRENGTHENING EDUCATION SYSTEM IN CALIFORNIA
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery October 5,2009 (San Diego)—“Our schools have been left to fall to the bottom of rankings in the nation,” Tom Torlakson told delegates at the San Diego Grassroots Convention in San Diego on September 26th. “In the early ‘70s, we were the best in the nation.” Gloria Romero, also running for the state’s top education
TROLLEY, TRUCK COLLIDE IN SANTEE
Printer-friendly version October 5, 2009 (Santee) – A Toyota truck struck a trolley last night at the intersection of Mission Gorge Road and Cuyamaca shortly before 11 p.m. last night, Incident Protection Network reported. The driver of the truck was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital. East County Magazine spoke with a Metropolitan Transit Service representative this morning and has obtained additional details. "The
SAN DIEGO SOLAR HOME TOUR SAT. OCT. 3
Printer-friendly version October 2, 2009 – The San Diego Solar Home Tour 2009 offer working examples of residential solar energy technology on a tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year, the California Center for Sustainable Energy is joining the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) National Tour to showcase residential homes using solar technology at locations throughout San Diego
2 ARRESTED FOR BOMB HOAX AT WEST HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
Printer-friendly version October 2, 2009 (Santee)—San Diego County Sheriff William Gore today announced the arrest of two male juveniles accused of making false bomb threats at West Hills High School. At approximately 3:50 p.m. yesterday, deputies responded to West Hills High School after receiving a report of a possible bomb threat. A note had been discovered by a teacher alluding
ROBBERS VIOLENTLY ASSAULT, INJURE MAN & WOMAN AT 24 HOUR FITNESS IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version Police Seek Suspects: 3 Hispanic Men with Shaved Heads; Reward Offered October 2, 2009 (La Mesa) – Last night at approximately 8:28 PM, a man and woman were assaulted by three men and knocked unconscious outside the 24-Hour Fitness Center in La Mesa. The 34 year old female victim was standing in the parking lot waiting
LIGHTNING FIRE HALTED IN PAUMA VALLEY
Printer-friendly versionOctober 2, 2009 (Pauma Valley) — CALFIRE reported a half-acre brush fire in the community of Pauma Valley off Rincon Ranch Road and South Mesa Drive. The fire was started by a lightning strike mid slope and burned uphill towards a grove. The fire was reported at 3:22 p.m., however the spread of fire was halted at 3:37
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Printer-friendly version EDITOR’S UPDATE: ECM no longer recommends AlertSanDiego. While the service does provide timely notification of emergencies targeted by zip codes, we have received complaints of SPAM, political mail and excessing mailings sent to subscribers of that service. Instead, we recommend only the Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts service powered by East County Magazine. We average a couple of alerts per week and we
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